“The planning delays and costs property owners face in wanting to build a second home on their block or subdivide their block and sell off the land can be a major hurdle to getting quality infill development in existing suburban areas. 

“By lowering the time and cost involved in this process, this announcement will help fill that void and give young families greater opportunities to secure a new home or townhouse on subdivided blocks,” HIA Deputy Executive Director Victoria, Steven Wojtkiw said today.

“However, the changes won’t provide a guaranteed pathway for more homes to be added to Victoria’s housing stock.  Proposals will still need to meet siting, privacy and design standards as well as heritage and environmental overlays.  

“It is therefore important that these criteria continue to be reassessed over time to reflect changing community preferences and new building design and construction methods.

“The government’s ambitious target of 800,000 new homes in ten years will require substantial reform to all aspects of housing development, not just planning. 

“‘Gentle density’ such as second dwellings and backyard subdivisions, has a key role to play in getting more homes built in the places Victorians want.

“However, HIA’s forecasts indicate there is likely to be a substantial and ongoing shortfall in construction of the number of houses required as Victoria’s population continues to grow.

“While HIA commends the government on this initiative, it also needs to continue efforts to reduce the red tape burden on builders, improve builder confidence, lower property taxes and address workforce skills”, concluded Mr Wojtkiw

For more information please contact: